{"product_id":"scaphella-mercedesae-volute-tortuga-terrace-118-9mm","title":"Scaphella mercedesae – Volute – Tortuga Terrace – 118.9mm","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA beautiful specimen of Scaphella mercedesae, a recently described volute species from the deep waters of the Dry Tortugas region.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis species was named in honor of my mother, Mercedes, making it a particularly meaningful shell to offer. Volutes of the genus Scaphella are highly prized by collectors, and this species has quickly gained attention since its formal description.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis specimen displays the elegant elongated shape typical of the genus along with a striking cream background covered in rich chestnut-brown square spotting. The interior aperture shows the characteristic patterning along the lip that makes these volutes especially attractive display shells.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis shell was personally collected by me while commercial lobster fishing aboard my vessel, F\/V AVA PILAR, providing accurate locality and depth data valued by serious collectors.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSPECIMEN DATA\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFamily: Volutidae\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpecies: Scaphella mercedesae\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAuthority: Petuch \u0026amp; Berschauer, 2026\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSize: 118.9 mm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLocation: Tortuga Terrace, Dry Tortugas, Florida\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDepth: 200–240 ft\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMethod: Baited lobster trap\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDate Collected: January 2026\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCollector: Randy Rivera – F\/V AVA PILAR\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCollection Code: TSC #0470VOL-TSC\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCONDITION\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eExcellent collector specimen with strong pattern and natural coloration. Minor trap wear may be present as typical with deep-water trap-collected shells. Please review photographs carefully as they form part of the description.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSAFE SHIPPING\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eShell will be securely wrapped and carefully packed to ensure safe arrival. Tracking always provided.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTORTUGAS SHELL COLLECTION NOTE\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAll shells offered are personally collected during commercial fishing operations in the Dry Tortugas and Tortuga Terrace region, one of Florida’s most productive deep-water shell habitats. Accurate depth data and collector provenance make these shells especially desirable to collectors.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Tortugas Shell Collection","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47856865640692,"sku":"0076","price":325.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0782\/8193\/3044\/files\/00F00991-9EA4-421E-8DB3-86ECA0A63B17.jpg?v=1773527249","url":"https:\/\/www.tortugasshellcollection.com\/products\/scaphella-mercedesae-volute-tortuga-terrace-118-9mm","provider":"Tortugas Shell Collection","version":"1.0","type":"link"}